Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

[UncleWillie]

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

Just like: My doctor says I need surgery. But that's just his opinion. What do you all think?

If I think the doctor is wrong, I get a Second opinion. (or a Third!)
I will weight all the doctors opinions.
It is my life and I will be making all the Decisions myself, as long as I can.
Just because the doctor has the opinion that you should do something, doesn't automatically make it the truth.
Many doctors make mistakes, Major Serious Mistakes! That is why they have Malpractice insurance.
I have told at least one Doctor to leave my hospital room and not return, I had no faith is his opinions.

If a doctor makes a mistake, he is held legally and financially liable.
If your surveyor makes a major mistake, you will be lucky to even see a refund of the survey fee.
They are never going to pay for the repair of the boat issue that they did not notice.

The Surveyor you hire is not Licensed, Insured and Bonded to protect you.
It is to protect them if they damage the boat during the inspection.

Please take note that I am NOT stating that Surveyors are liars, idiots, con-men, worthless or anything else.
They are mostly good honest people performing a valuable function.
However they are only human and are only allowed to observe a limited amount of the boat.
They can only see so much and most of the worst issues on a boat are by their nature, very well concealed.

Your surveyor is your Agent.
He is hired to deliver an opinion.
It is up to you to take his opinion under advisement and form your own decision.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

Um, Willie, you miss the point. it's not about second opinions. It's about informed opinions. Informed opinions about an unspecified boat, or unspecified surgery, cannot come from an internet forum. That's why you hire surveyors and doctors instead. Several, if it's worth it.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

I am having issues asking questions recently with getting my intent addressed. My issue was, like so many of us, I cannot break away from work on a moments notice and I was able to negotiate an outstanding price - really outstanding. Based on my discussions with the owner as to use of the boat several dozen photos and knowing the history of the listing, I was initially extremely motivated to close the deal. FAST!! My question was more to do with people's experience using marine surveyors. Having bought all my boats over the years on the strength on my understanding of boats and never been burned, I was looking more for people's experiences with surveyors, and whether their information was of value, whether anyone has had experiences that would indicate that their opinion may not be worth the 1200 bucks I was going to pay. Essentially Are their insights strong enough to base a decision of such a magnitude. Is delegating the information gathering aspect of the evaluation process something others have done, and what were the shortfalls if any, in taking this route. You can most certainly quantify a given number of questions that would define a good or bad boat. Are these standard for a surveyor or are they simply measuring seaworthiness and safety. Next is the fact that so many things are not the total of their parts. We have all had experiences when something looks like a sure thing only to have it go seriously wrong. Like say this question. Opinions have value as most are based in ones experience and that is where I was trying to gain an insight.

Obviously, inspecting a boat personally is the best way to go. Since asking this question the owner who initially agreed to sell me the boat at a given price, received an offer over20% higher than mine and backed out. That is why I was trying to move so fast.... I am sorry some of us missed the point...

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

I have always used a surveyor. Mind you, I have always used the same one as I trust him and his recommendations. Aside from a surveyor, seeing as the boat is a long distance from you, and it would be difficult for you to go out to look at the boat yourself, I would also get a mechanical inspection. The hull, deck and floors may be perfect but it would be a shame to buy it on a perfect hull survey only to find out the drive is toast or it's got a blown coupler, or worse. After all, the real expensive part of the boat is the drive and engine.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

...Since asking this question the owner who initially agreed to sell me the boat at a given price, received an offer over20% higher than mine and backed out...

Or he did not want a knowledgeable person inspecting it

Don't feel like you "missed the boat." Could've been trash after all, who knows? And it sounds like there's no way you would have had the time to find out, surveyor, fellow iboater, whichever.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Thinking about doing something I think is wrong

Ajgraz, interesting point.... I try not to get attached to things so missing out means the fun of the search continues. I have learned something though. I have narrowed my search to a smaller circle. I realized that there is a lot of expense involved with these long distance deals. I am looking for a 32+ foot boat and adding up the additional costs and hassle became apparent to me. Survey, shipping, and at this time of year storage and winterization is just a pain in the arse.... Even if I pay a little more, it is worth it to not pull my hair out for.